CSULB Awarded $900,000 by U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded $900,000 to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in support of the campus’ Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies (CCDoTT), a cutting-edge maritime and logistics research institution.

Awarded through a contract with the DoD’s Office of Naval Research, the funding received under this agreement will be directed to developing technologies for commercial and military dual use applications involving ocean transport to improve the movement of cargo to and from the ports in ways that will help alleviate traffic and improve air quality.

“The Center for the Commercial Deployment of Transportation Technologies at Cal State Long Beach is doing some outstanding work on ocean transport technologies that will have a significant impact on our roads and environment both regionally and nationally,” said CSULB President F. King Alexander. “The continued support of the Department of Defense is evidence of that, and center officials will continue to work diligently to maintain the confidence and trust the DoD has shown in the center and its work.”

Current fiscal year projects at CCDOTT include priority activities requested by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Sealift (N-42) for use of American Marine Highway (AMH) ships as an approach to re-capitalization of ship replacements for the Ready Reserve Force.

These projects support the new Dual Use Vessel Development Plan developed by the Navy and commercial interests. Specifically, a new liquefied natural gas-fueled ship design for America’s Marine Highways (short-sea) cargo transport, and a simulation model to perform logistic and economic analysis for given routes that would take trucks off the road will be developed in support of emission reductions. This is being performed with input from the Maritime Administration’s Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).

Another priority project utilizes technologies developed by CCDoTT and the university to advance the logistic infrastructure and communication support for movement of commercial and military goods and materials. It gives confidence to the warfighter and the supplier by optimizing the uninterrupted flow of data tracking communication and supply-chain visibility to expedite on-dock cargo transport to the logistic centers.

“The acceptance and success of these projects is the result of over 10 years of dual use military and commercial coordinated effort working with the Office of Naval Research, the Maritime Administration, commercial shippers and shipbuilders and multiple congressional supporters” said CCDoTT Principle Investigator Steve Hinds. “As a university center, it is both exciting and rewarding to be able to involve our students and faculty in cutting edge technologies and expose them to the organizations that are making it happen.”

Alexander extended special thanks to U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez for her critical support and understanding of the nature of the programs to the university, state and nation. The president also recognized Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Laura Richardson, together with Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer for their efforts in securing the CCDoTT program funding.

Established in 1995, CCDoTT is a CSULB-sponsored, government-approved and supported research and development center investigating maritime transportation issues on behalf of commercial and military dual-use interests. With a partnership of academia, government, military and industry, CCDoTT focuses on technologies that support the uninterrupted flow of the materials and products necessary for our national defense and continued economic growth. The center works closely with Southern California’s transportation industries to develop partnerships to perform specific projects that benefit the university, its students and the community.